Skip to content

Month: August 2017

‘An Unjust Law Is No Law At All’: Philadelphia Councilperson Helen Gym On Immigration & Texas Bill SB4
Activists hold signs reading "Immigrants: We get the job done" and "No human is illegal" written in multiple languages. Austin, Texas on January 20, 2017. (Kit O'Connell, CC license)
August 7, 2017
Kit
Leave a Comment

‘An Unjust Law Is No Law At All’: Philadelphia Councilperson Helen Gym On Immigration & Texas Bill SB4

Posted in Austin, Creative Commons, Journalism, and Video

Helen Gym, vice-chair of Local Progress, a nonprofit representing progressive elected officials from around the United States, and a member of the Philadelphia City Council, spoke to a crowd of activists and other elected officials at the Texas Legislature on July 28, 2017. The rally gathered in opposition to SB4, the recently signed law which would overrule local protections on undocumented immigrants and force law enforcement officials to actively participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. It’s been compared to a “supercharged” version of Arizona’s infamous “Show Us Your Papers” law.

Over 150 elected officials signed off on a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott opposing the law.  In her speech, Gym compared SB4 to similar bills that have been introduced in other parts of the country.

Read more‘An Unjust Law Is No Law At All’: Philadelphia Councilperson Helen Gym On Immigration & Texas Bill SB4
Jose Garza Of Workers Defense Project: Immigrants Rights Movement A ‘Powder Keg’ With A Burning Fuse (VIDEO)
Activists gather after a sit-in at the Texas Governors office against SB4, the anti-sanctuary cities bill, on May 1, 2017. (Kit O'Connell, CC license)
August 4, 2017
Kit
Leave a Comment

Jose Garza Of Workers Defense Project: Immigrants Rights Movement A ‘Powder Keg’ With A Burning Fuse (VIDEO)

Posted in Austin, Creative Commons, Journalism, and Video

On July 28, 2017, activists rallied at the Texas Capitol in opposition to SB4, the “Show Us Your Papers” / anti-sanctuary cities bill passed during the recently completed legislative session, and currently facing a lawsuit backed by the majority of Texas’ major municipalities. The event was organized by Local Progress, a nonprofit representing progressive elected officials from around the United States, and over 150 elected officials have now signed off on a letter opposing the anti-immigrant law. Many of these officials were present during the rally.

In this video, Jose P. Garza, executive director at Workers’ Defense Project, explains how his organization encouraged Austin City Council members and other local officials to come out in opposition to the law, and he issues a warning to Gov. Greg Abbott:

Read moreJose Garza Of Workers Defense Project: Immigrants Rights Movement A ‘Powder Keg’ With A Burning Fuse (VIDEO)
Texas Legislature Special Session, Activism & Respect For Politicians (Black Tower Radio)
Activists in pink t-shirts enter the Texas House on on a day of lobbying for Planned Parenthood. July 31, 2017. (Kit O'Connell, Creative Commons license)
August 2, 2017
Kit
Leave a Comment

Texas Legislature Special Session, Activism & Respect For Politicians (Black Tower Radio)

Posted in Audio, Austin, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism

On the first Wednesday of every month, I appear on Black Tower Radio to discuss my latest journalism.

Texas Republicans ensured that the legislature would close earlier this year with crucial business unfinished, forcing Gov. Greg Abbott to call for a special session that reopens the door to unpopular issues like new abortion restrictions, attacks on transgender rights, and even new laws restricting unions, Planned Parenthood, and the protection of historic trees.

Also, what respect do we owe politicians and government officials? What kinds of activism are appropriate when human lives and the planet are at stake?

Read moreTexas Legislature Special Session, Activism & Respect For Politicians (Black Tower Radio)
The Science Behind Using CBD Oil For Schizophrenia
A person holds their hands to their face as if anxious. Superimposed on their features is a cracked wooden mask. (Pixabay / geralt, public domain)
August 1, 2017
Kit
Leave a Comment

The Science Behind Using CBD Oil For Schizophrenia

Posted in Journalism, and Ministry of Hemp

Even as “true believers” in hemp, sometimes we’re still surprised to learn all the ways cannabidiol (CBD) can help.

Though we know that CBD supplements are used by people with everything from anxiety to arthritis, that was still the case when we first saw reports that it may also be an antipsychotic.

Considered one of several “psychotic disorders,” schizophrenia is a mental illness associated with serious distortions in a person’s thinking, which can include hallucinations or hearing voices. Other symptoms often include depression and difficulty maintaining interest in social activities and hobbies. While conventional pharmaceutical treatments often help, they also often have unpleasant side effects.

Read moreThe Science Behind Using CBD Oil For Schizophrenia